Difference between revisions of "Sound Power"

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{{Software
|Logo= [[image:acoustics-T-256.png|90px]]
|Name= Sound Power Software
|Screenshot=[[File:Screenshotsp.png|160px]]
|Developers= [http://www.OROS.com Oros SA]
|Type= [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_power Sound Power],[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise Noise], [[NVGate_Octave_Analyzer|Octave band analysis]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_acquisition Data Acquisition].
|First release= 2011


|Latest Version= V3.20.2 (september 2021)
|Download= [[Sound_Power_Install|Here]]
|Update=
|Operating system= Windows 10 (and W7) ([[PC_Requirements|see PC requirements]])
|Language= English
|Licence = Proprietery
|website=[https://www.oros.com/applications/noise/sound-power/ SoundPower on OROS.com] and here!
}}


<font color="#4F81BD"><font size = "6">SOUND POWER INSTALLATION GUIDE</font></font>


----


''Thank you for purchasing the SoundPower Solution.''
*[[Sound_Power_Install|Install]]
*[[Sound_Power_Manual|Manual]]


''The '''OROS SOUND POWER SOLUTION''' is a dedicated tool for your Sound Power measurements. It is specifically designed to allow accurate and efficient tests. Based on the main international standards, it allows a flexible setup and a guided measurement procedure.''
*[[Sound_Power_Washing_Machine_IEC_704|Sound power "washing machine edition"]]


''The Sound Power Solution is meant to work in combination with its associated Analyzer software '''NVGATE'''''<sup>''®''</sup>''. In this way, the full power of the '''NVGATE'''''<sup>''® ''</sup>''platform and associated multi channel '''INSTRUMENT HARDWARE''' is made fully available for your one clear objective: measuring Sound Power.''
*[[Sound_Power_3_20|Release note Sound Power 3.20]]
 
This "'''INSTALLATION GUIDE"''' will guide you through the installation of the Sound Power software and help you run it for the first time. It will explain in particular the way the installation should be done in parallel to NVGATE<sup>®</sup> and to the Instrument Hardware.
 
For getting detailed information on the software operation and in order to discover its full functionality, you can always go and visit the '''Online Help''' embedded within the software. The Online Help is installed simultaneously to the software.
 
''Now, let<nowiki>'</nowiki>s get started with your '''''SOUND POWER'' ''''''SOLUTION !'''''
 
==First check==
====Recommended PC configuration====
 
{|border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#D9D9D9"|<font size = "1">'''Minimum'''</font>
|bgcolor = "#D9D9D9"|<font size = "1">Pentium 4/ 2 GHz / 256<sup>1</sup> MB RAM with Windows XP or 512<sup>1</sup> MB with Windows Vista/ Graphics video adapter with at least 32 MB memory / 150 MB free on HD <nowiki>+</nowiki> storage for measurements and signals, 1024 x 768 display (XGA), DirectX 8.0</font>
 
|-
|align = "center"|<font size = "1">'''Recommended'''</font><br><font size = "1">'''(for laptop)'''</font>
|<font size = "1">Dual/quad core processor (ex: Intel Core i5) / <nowiki>></nowiki> 2.5 GHz / 4 GB of RAM / Graphics video memory 1 GB / 1 GB free on HD <nowiki>+</nowiki> storage for signals / CD or DVD ROM drive / 1440 x 900 display / Windows 7 pro</font>
 
|-
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#D9D9D9"|<font size = "1">'''Recommended'''</font><br><font size = "1">'''(for desktop)'''</font>
|bgcolor = "#D9D9D9"|<font size = "1">Quad core processor (ex: Intel Core i7) / 6 GB of RAM / Graphics video memory 1 GB / 1 GB free on HD <nowiki>+</nowiki> storage for signals / CD or DVD ROM drive / 1920 x 1080 display / Windows 7 pro</font>
 
|-
|align = "center"|<font size = "1">'''Connection'''</font>
|<font size = "1">Type: '''Ethernet 100base TX''', 100 Mbit/s - Connector: '''RJ45'''</font><br><font size = "1">For removable disk: USB 2.0 - At least one USB port for dongle key.</font>
 
|-
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#D9D9D9"|<font size = "1">'''Operating systems'''</font>
|bgcolor = "#D9D9D9"|<font size = "1">Windows '''XP Pro''' Service Pack 3, Windows '''Vista Business''' Service Pack 2, '''Windows 7 '''(recommended)</font>
 
|}
 
====Equipment required for the installation====
Software CD containing OROS Sound Power.
 
A dongle with NVGate and OROS Sound Power authorized
 
==Installation==
===Installation of the NVGate software===
'''NVGate'''<sup>'''</sup> ''''''must be installed''' on the PC before starting the installation of Sound Power.
 
To install NVGate<sup></sup>, please refer to the "'''''OR3X/NVGate Installation Guide'''''".
 
Before starting the installation of Sound Power, make sure that NVGate is properly installed.
 
===Installation of the Sound Power Solution===
Ensure NVGate<sup></sup> is installed and running on the PC before starting the installation of Sound Power.
 
The procedure of installation of Sound Power is the same for Windows 98, 2000 and XP.
 
For information, the following screenshots have been realized under Windows XP.
 
Insert the CD in the appropriate drive and wait for the Autorun program (or run the "setup.exe" program from the CD)
 
Wait until the following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_04.png|framed|none]]
 
Click on "Next <nowiki>></nowiki>".
 
The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_05.png|framed|none]]
 
Read the terms of the license agreement and select "I accept the terms in the license agreement" if you agree.
 
Click on "Next <nowiki>></nowiki>".
 
The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_06.png|framed|none]]
 
Enter the user name, the organization and choose to install the application for all users or only for you.
 
Click on "Next <nowiki>></nowiki>".
 
The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_07.png|framed|none]]
 
Select the location of the "Sound Power" folder. By default, OROS Sound Power is installed in:
 
C:\Program Files\OROS\NVSolutions\SoundPower.
 
Installing Sound Power in the NVGate<sup></sup> directory (as it is by default) enables links between the Sound Power Online Help and the NVGate<sup></sup> Online Help.
 
Click on "Next <nowiki>></nowiki>".
 
The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_08.png|framed|none]]
 
Choose the setup type. It is recommended to select "Complete".
 
Click on "Next <nowiki>></nowiki>".
 
The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_09.png|framed|none]]
 
Click on "Install" to begin the installation.
 
Wait until the following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_10.png|framed|none]]
 
Click on "Finish".
 
The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_11.png|framed|none]]
 
Indicate the location of NVGate.
 
If NVGate is installed on the same PC:
 
Choose "Local" and indicate the path for "NVGate.exe". By default, it is: "C:\ProgramFiles\OROS\OR3X".
 
If you are using NVGate from another PC:
 
Choose "Remote" and indicate the IP address of this second PC.
 
If you want to change the Sound Power configuration:
 
Open the "Start" menu, select "Programs", then "NVSolutions" and choose "Sound Power Configuration".
 
<u>At this stage</u>:
 
Plug the '''Dongle''' to use Sound Power in the '''Office Mode'''
 
Plug the '''Hardware''' to use Sound Power in the '''Connected Mode'''.
 
And then, run "Sound Power".
 
The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_12.png|framed|none]]
 
You can either create a new setup by choosing the Standard, the Surface type and the number of positions of your experiment or load a setup already created.
 
Click on "OK".
 
If NVGate has not been started previously, the following window is first displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_13.png|framed|none]]
 
Enter the first name and last name of the user and choose to set a password or not.
 
<u>''Notice''</u>'': The access level for the first user is necessary full.''
 
Then, the following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_14.png|framed|none]]
 
If NVGate has already been started by itself before the selection of the running mode will be asked directly. Choose to start Sound Power in Connected to the hardware or in the office mode.
 
===Updating the Software version===
'''Uninstall the previous version of Sound Power''' installed on the PC:<br>Insert the CD in the appropriate driver and wait for the Autorun program (or run the "setup.exe" program from the CD).<br>The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_15.png|framed|none]]
 
'''Click''' on "Next <nowiki>></nowiki>".
 
The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_16.png|framed|none]]
 
Choose to remove the current version.
 
Click on "Next <nowiki>></nowiki>".
 
The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_17.png|framed|none]]
 
Confirm by clicking on "Remove".
 
Wait until the following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_18.png|framed|none]]
 
Click on Finish
 
1. '''Start the installation of the new version'''.<br>Please follow the procedure described from the chapter"Installation of the Sound Power Solution".
 
----
 
===Troubleshooting===
 
{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding = "10" style="border-style:solid; border-color:black; border-width:1px;" width="100%"
|
----
 
''Sound Power may not start.''
 
|-
|''In this case, one of the following error messages is returned:''
 
|}
 
'''« File Sound Power.ini not found ! »'''
 
{|border="0" cellspacing="2" width="100%"
|''''''
|''Run the Sound Power configuration program (Menu "Start" <nowiki>></nowiki> "Programs" <nowiki>></nowiki>  "NVSolutions" <nowiki>></nowiki> "Sound Power Configuration")''
 
|}
 
'''« File Sound Power.ini not valid ! »'''
 
{|border="0" cellspacing="2" width="100%"
|''''''
|''Run the Sound Power configuration program (Menu "Start" <nowiki>></nowiki> "Programs" <nowiki>></nowiki> "NVSolutions" <nowiki>></nowiki> "Sound Power Configuration")''
 
|}
 
'''« Couldn<nowiki>'</nowiki>t start NVGate ! »'''
 
* ''Check the path of "NVGate.exe" in the Sound Power configuration program (Menu "Start" <nowiki>></nowiki> "Programs" <nowiki>></nowiki> "NVSolutions" <nowiki>></nowiki> "Sound Power Configuration")''
'''« Connection to NVGate has failed ! »'''
 
1. If NVGate location is = Local:
 
* ''Check that NVGate is running. If not, escape from Sound Power and run it ''''again''
* ''Check that NVGate can start on its side''
 
2. If NVGate location is = Remote:
 
* ''Check that NVGate is running on the remote PC''
* ''Check that the IP address of the remote PC is correct in the Sound Power configuration program (Menu "Start" <nowiki>></nowiki> "Programs" <nowiki>></nowiki> "NVSolutions" <nowiki>></nowiki> "Sound Power Configuration")''
'''« You don<nowiki>'</nowiki>t have the permission to use OROS Sound Power ! »'''
 
* ''Ensure that you are using a dongle configurated for Sound Power''
* ''Contact your OROS Agent''
'''« Sound Power project not found ! »'''
 
''CHECK THE PATH OF "NVGATE.EXE" IN THE SOUND POWER CONFIGURATION PROGRAM (MENU "START" <NOWIKI>></NOWIKI> "PROGRAMS" <NOWIKI>></NOWIKI> "NVSOLUTIONS" <NOWIKI>></NOWIKI> "SOUND POWER CONFIGURATION") AND VALIDATE (PRESS "OK") IN LOCAL. IF YOU ARE OPERATING SOUND POWER IN A REMOTE LOCATION, COPY THE "SOUND POWER" DIRECTORY FROM THE FOLDER OF INSTALLATION OF SOUND POWER INTO THE DEFAULT BASE OF''
 
<font color="#4F81BD"><font size = "6">SOUND POWER<br>User<nowiki>'</nowiki>s manual</font></font>
 
==Introduction==
The Sound Power Level generated from a source is the value used to quantify its sound emission properties. Because this result should be comparable from one test place to another, the measurement should be realized following a particular test procedure. This procedure is defined by international standards, which are selected depending principally on the source type, the test environment, and the accuracy required. The OROS SOUND POWER Solution has been designed to let you achieve that type of tests in the most efficient and accurate way.
 
The getting started on-line help explains in detail the three main steps:
 
* Setup
* Measurement
* Report
It is using an applied approach where explanations are given as questions should come to you during a standard measurement process. The getting started on-line help will let you get the most out of your Sound Power Solution and set you straightaway on the right track.
 
==Sound power environment==
===Starting with Sound Power Software===
When Sound Power starts, the following window is displayed. You can select to open an existing Setup or begin with a new one that you setup in this dialog:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_19.png|framed|none]]
 
====User Management====
The Sound Power Solution uses predefined users. There are two predefined users: the "SP OPERATOR" and "SP MANAGER". The SP Operator runs the application in a standard way.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_20.png|framed|none]]
 
In case the application needs to be customized, the user can log itself as "SP Manager". In this case, a password will be requested: the password is "soundpower". Logging as SP Manager will let the user modify the "Sound Power" project in NVGate.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_21.png|framed|none]]
 
'''Warning''': Modifying the "Sound Power" project could create problems in the operation of the application. In such a case, the default "Sound Power" project should be kept as a back up and restored. Otherwise the Sound Power application should be reinstalled.
 
----
 
===Functioning modes===
There are three main steps to carry out a measurement process.
 
====Setup====
Using the Sound Power Software, the first step of the measurement is the configuration of the test setup. The setup browser will let you define the measurement surface, microphone positions, input connections and measurement steps. Then, the analysis parameters such as the test duration will be described. The final step of the test setup configuration concerns the corrections and validity tests described by the international standards.
 
You should have a display like the following one:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_22.png|framed|none]]
 
====Measurement====
During a second step, a test setup can be reloaded and a measurement panel displayed. Only at this stage the measurement can be started. The data are obtained and Sound Power results automatically calculated, giving straight away calculated corrections and standard validation.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_23.png|framed|none]]
 
====Report====
The third and last step is the automatic generation of the Sound Power report as a customized document in Microsoft Excel®.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_24.png|framed|none]]
 
===Create a new Setup===
The Setup creation is based on the use of a template. Create the new Setup from the first "Setup" window, then you can find back the information from Sound Power '''Setup Browser''' tab in the workspace:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_25.png|framed|none]]
 
'''Note:''' The
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_01.png]]
 
icon means the setting is only for user information, it cannot be changed.
 
===Open a Setup===
When you choose to open a Setup, Sound Power allows you to select an Excel® file template. You can select to open a default template or to open your saved ones. This action avoids you to remake your settings each time you begin a measurement process.
 
==Setup Browser==
====Dimensions====
In the '''Setup Browser''' tab from the workspace, enter the dimensions of the surface in meter (double click on a setting to get it).
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_26.png|framed|none]]
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_27.png|framed|none]]
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_28.png|framed|none]]
 
{|border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
 
|}
 
'''Note:''' For the hemispheric surface, just enter the radius value
 
====Positions====
Set-up the microphone positions by entering the value in the table. To access to the table, double click on '''Position''' from the '''Source''' module in the '''Setup Browser''' tab from the workspace.
 
For a parallelepiped surface type, the following table is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_29.png|framed|none]]
 
For a sphere surface type, the following table is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_30.png|framed|none]]
 
====Microphone settings====
In the '''Setup Browser''' tab from the workspace, double click on the '''Microphones''' module, the following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_31.png|framed|none]]
 
'''Note:''' By default all the inputs are set to Default microphone in the Microphone column. So if you do not have any microphone in your transducer database, enter the new microphones from NVGate® (click on the following button to see how to do it). Then from Sound Power software, click on '''Update transducer database''' from the '''Tools''' menu.
 
'''Tip:''' Double click on the '''Coupling''' column header and select '''a parameter''' in order to assign this parameter to all the inputs.
 
----
 
===Analysis===
====/n Octave====
The 1/n octave module allows you to setup the analysis. You can only change the Upper central frequency and the Average duration. All other settings are for user information.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_32.png|framed|none]]
 
'''1/n octave:''' The analysis is done in the 1/3rd octave mode with no weighting process.
 
'''Overall Analysis:''' The results of the overall analysis are given as Z weighted levels and A-weighted levels. Refer to measurement screen configurations for details on levels display.
 
'''Frequency Range:''' The analysis can be done between two available frequency bands:
 
<nowiki>[</nowiki>20 Hz; 10 KHz<nowiki>]</nowiki> or <nowiki>[</nowiki>20 Hz; 20 KHz<nowiki>]</nowiki>. The lower frequency is fixed.
 
'''Average:''' Set the measurement average duration.
 
===Standard conformity===
====Corrections====
=====Frequency range=====
The Frequency range sub-module allows you to set the frequency range into which you want the correction to be done.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_33.png|framed|none]]
 
'''Sound power spectrum:''' Frequency range where the correction is applied on the sound power spectrum.
 
'''Sound power level:''' Frequency range where the correction is applied on the sound power level. This range corresponds to the one set in the 1/n octave module.
 
=====K1 correction=====
This type of correction is about the background noise.
 
There are three methods to define the K1 correction factor (Manual, File or Measurement). Click on the method you want know more about...
 
=====K2 correction=====
This type of correction is about the measurement environment.
 
There are five methods to define the K2 correction factor (Approached method, File, Manual, Reference source or RT 60). Click on the method you want know more about...
 
The File and Manual methods are explained in the [file://mk:@MSITStore:C:\OROS%20PROGS\SoundPower\Getting%20started%20with%20Sound%20Power.chm::/K1_correction.htm K1 correction] topic.
 
=====K3 correction=====
This type of correction is an additional correction.
 
There are two methods to define the K3 correction factor (File or Manual). The File and Manual methods are explained in the [file://mk:@MSITStore:C:\OROS%20PROGS\SoundPower\Getting%20started%20with%20Sound%20Power.chm::/K1_correction.htm K1 correction] topic.
 
====Repeatability====
The repeatability module allows you to make the measurement either 1 time or 3 times. If you select 3 times, it means that the average is calculated between the two results which have a difference less than 1 dBA. If the three results have a difference less than 1 dBA, the average is calculated between the two higher results.
 
Double click on '''Repeat measurement''' to access to it...
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_34.png|framed|none]]
 
==Manage your Setup==
Manage your setup from the '''File''' menu. There are 4 ways to manage your setup:
 
'''New Setup:''' allows you to load a new template among those suggested by default.
 
'''Load Setup:''' allows you to load a saved template or to load a default template from a folder.
 
'''Save Setup:''' saves the current setup.
 
'''Save Setup As:''' saves the current setup with a name you specify.
 
==Measurement Panel==
===Background noise===
====Background noise correction====
To carry out the background noise process click on the '''Measurement panel''' tab from the workspace.
 
The background noise can be measured in the case where "Measurement" is selected as a K1 method (in the Setup browser). Then you should click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_35.png|framed|none]]
button in order to initialize the background noise process (the background noise measurement does not start by clicking on this button). The Setup browser tab becomes Setup viewer, it means that you cannot change any setting.
 
'''Notes:'''
 
• a dialog appears if the transducers that you are using have not been calibrated.
 
• if the K1 method is set to File or Manual, the button above will be grayed.
 
Your screen is split in two parts: Sound Power (the controller) and NVGate® (the display).
 
During the background noise setup, NVGate® creates 2 layouts:
 
* LEVELS (shows all the A weighted input levels)
* SPECTRA (shows average 1/N octave signals and Z weighted global levels)
'''Notes:''' the number of traces in the layout display can change according to the K1 measurement setting ("One position for all" or "All positions").
 
You can also switch from one layout to the other during the run.
 
When the software is ready to start the background noise measurement, the following tool appears at the bottom of the Measurement Panel:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_36.png|framed|none]]
 
====Background noise measurement====
1. To start the measurement, click on the  button from the '''Measurement Panel''' (the status bar indicates "Running..."). You should have a display like the following one:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_37.png|framed|none]]
 
2. Wait few seconds for getting results (the status bar indicates "Getting results...")
 
===Source noise===
The source noise process is started from the '''Measurement panel''' tab from the workspace.
 
Click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_38.png|framed|none]]
button in order to initialize the source noise process, NVGate® software updates the input connections (the source noise measurement does not start by clicking on this button). The Setup browser tab becomes Setup viewer, it means that you cannot change any setting.
 
When the software is ready to start the source noise measurement, the following tool appears at the bottom of the Measurement Panel:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_39.png|framed|none]]
 
Source noise measurement
 
1. To start the measurement, click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_02.png]]
 
button from the '''Measurement Panel''' (the status bar indicates "Running..."). You should have a display like the following one:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_40.png|framed|none]]
 
The number of runs depends on the number of steps you have selected in the microphones dialog in the setup browser and on the number of repeatability you have selected (1 or 3 times).
 
'''Tip:''' For example if you have selected 3 times for the [file://mk:@MSITStore:C:\OROS%20PROGS\SoundPower\Getting%20started%20with%20Sound%20Power.chm::/Source_noise_measurement.htm repeatability] and 2 steps in the [file://mk:@MSITStore:C:\OROS%20PROGS\SoundPower\Getting%20started%20with%20Sound%20Power.chm::/Source_noise_measurement.htm microphones] you will have to click 6 times on t<u>h</u>e run button:
 
{|border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#F3F3D6"|Run1 - Step1
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#F3F3D6"|Run1 - Step2
 
|-
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#F3F3D6"|Run2 - Step1
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#F3F3D6"|Run2 - Step2
 
|-
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#F3F3D6"|Run3 - Step1
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#F3F3D6"|Run3 - Step2
 
|}
 
2. Wait few seconds for getting results (the status bar indicates "Getting results...")
 
==Report Edition==
===Fill out your report===
When the measurement is finished, click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_41.png|framed|none]]
button from the '''Measurement Panel''' in order to fill out the report and check the calculated results such as Sound power (dB and dBA) etc...
 
You have three tabs containing fields that you can fill out (double click on a cell to get the field) in order to make your report properly:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_03.png|framed|none]]
 
Once it is finished, click on '''OK''', you can select to save the measurement or not. If you select to save the measurement, the following window appears:
 
Specify the file name and click on '''Save'''.
 
See how to [file://mk:@MSITStore:C:\OROS%20PROGS\SoundPower\Getting%20started%20with%20Sound%20Power.chm::/Report_definition/Report_preview.htm view the report...]
 
See also [file://mk:@MSITStore:C:\OROS%20PROGS\SoundPower\Getting%20started%20with%20Sound%20Power.chm::/Report_customization.htm Report information]
 
===Results===
The Results tab shows the information about the correction factors (K1, K2) and indicates the calculated results such as sound power in dBZ and dBA etc...
 
You cannot enter any data into these fields.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_42.png|framed|none]]
 
===Standard conformity===
The Standard conformity tab shows you the information about:
 
'''Background noise test:''' this test is only about the "Low Delta Level". If the difference between the source level and the background level is up to the "Low Delta Level" given by the standard, the test is failed.
 
'''Environmental conditions test:''' this test is only about the K2 correction factor. If the K2 values are up to the one given by the standard, the test is failed. If the test is failed, the K2 values set in the report will be the K2 max given by the standard.
 
'''Directivity test:''' the directivity calculation is made between the maximum and minimum levels measured in dBA. If the difference between the max and min is up to the position number, the test is failed (cf. standard ISO 3744). So it is recommended that you do another measurement process with a greater position number.
 
'''Repeatability test:''' this test is significant if you have selected a 3 time repeatability test. The average is calculated between the two results which have a difference less than 1 dBA. If the three results have a difference less than 1 dBA, the average is calculated between the two higher results. The test is failed if the three results have a difference up to 1 dBA.
 
You cannot enter any data into these fields.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_43.png|framed|none]]
 
----
 
===Report Preview===
When the report is filled out, click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_44.png|framed|none]]
button from the '''Measurement Panel''' in order to open the report you want to see. The following window appears:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_45.png|framed|none]]
 
Select the saved setup and click on '''Open '''(an Excel worksheet is displayed containing all the information about your setup and measurement). Your report should be like the following one:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_46.png|framed|none]]
 
====Report customization====
You have the possibility to choose what information you want to display in the "Report" dialog from the Sound Power software. If you want the modifications to appear each time a user loads a SETUP, customize it in Excel first. To do this:
 
1. From the '''Measurement Panel''', click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_47.png|framed|none]]
button in order to open the Setup you want to modify.
 
2. Once the Setup is opened in Excel, select the "Report INFO" tab, so you should see the following sheet:
 
{|border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" width="103%"
|
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_48.png|framed|none]]
 
|Legend:
 
{|border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"
|bgcolor = "#D9FFD9"|&nbsp;
|<font size = "1">Value entered by the user from Sound Power</font>
 
|-
|bgcolor = "#FFF297"|&nbsp;
|<font size = "1">Description</font>
 
|-
|bgcolor = "#000000"|<font color="#000000">&nbsp;</font>
|<font size = "1">Value entered by the user from Excel</font>
 
|-
|bgcolor = "#BC79FF"|&nbsp;
|<font size = "1">Data "calculated" by Sound Power</font>
 
|}
From this sheet, the titles of each part are displayed as tabs from the "Report" dialog in Sound Power (Test Information, Weather, Source, etc...).
 
|}
 
3. Click on the cell corresponding to the data you want to see in the report. For example, the RPM data, and type YES.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_49.png|framed|none]]
 
4. Click on the green cell corresponding to RPM and then click on the label cell.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_50.png|framed|none]]
 
5. When RPM is highlighted, press '''CTRL<nowiki>+</nowiki>c''' to copy the value (be careful to do not change the value) and then click on the '''Report''' tab.
 
6. Click on a free cell and type RPM as a title for the data you are about to insert as described in the following picture.
 
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_51.png|framed|none]]
 
7. Click on the cell next to the previous one then type = and press '''CTRL<nowiki>+</nowiki>v''' in order to paste the label previously copied.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_52.png|framed|none]]
 
Press '''Enter''' to apply the computation.
 
8. Save your Setup from Excel. The next time the Setup will be loaded, the RPM field will be activated, so the user will be able to enter a value for the RPM.
 
9. The result of this procedure is available from Sound Power in the Measurement Panel by clicking on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_53.png|framed|none]]
button.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_54.png|framed|none]]
 
==Tutorial==
===Welcome to the tutorial===
This tutorial is designed to teach you quickly how to use the Sound Power software. Along the way, you will learn the basic steps of building a Setup.
 
These quick and easy lessons take you step by step through the process of displaying traces, creating a setup, saving a setup etc.
 
'''The First lesson'''
 
You will learn how to create and save a setup.
 
'''The Second lesson'''
 
This lesson will teach you to load a saved setup and to make a measurement.
 
===First lesson===
=====Context:=====
The aim is to create and prepare a setup to study the noise of a construction vehicle like a bulldozer for example. The idea is to re-load the created setup afterwards, making easier the software operation for the daily user.
 
Suppose that you need 12 positions to make your measurement according to the standards and you have only 6 microphones at your disposal. The standard you have to select is the ISO 6395 with a sphere surface.
 
=====Preliminary step (create the microphones needed)=====
This step explains how to create the 6 microphones that you need to carry out the measurement process (this is made from NVGate® software).
 
1. From the '''Start''' menu, select '''Programs''', '''NVSolutions''' then start '''Sound Power On-line Help''' in order to read properly the Sound Power HTML Help from NVGate®.
 
2. Switch to NVGate® software.
 
3. From the '''Tools''' menu, select '''Transducers''' then '''Definition...''' the following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_55.png|framed|none]]
 
4. Select '''Microphone''', and click on '''New''' from the "Transducer". The following window is displayed:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_56.png|framed|none]]
 
Identify the first microphone by naming it "Mic1". Feel free to fill out the "Manufacturer", "Model" and "Serial number" fields as you like.
 
For the "Coupling", select '''ICP''' and enter '''50m'''(V)/(Pa) for the microphone sensitivity. Click on '''OK''' when finished.
 
'''Note:''' If you have LEMO connectors on your hardware, select '''AC''' for the coupling setting instead of ICP.
 
5. Repeat the step 4 for each microphone. Identify the 6 microphones by Mic1, Mic2, ..., Mic6. Change only the "Identifier" and "Serial number" fields for each microphone.
 
6. When you have created the 6 microphones, click on '''OK''' from the "Transducer database" window and then switch back to Sound Power software.
 
7. From the '''Tools''' menu, select '''Update transducer database'''.
 
=====Create a Setup=====
This step shows you how to load a default setup and create a new one.
 
1. Select '''New Setup''' from the '''File''' menu.
 
2. From the Surface type, select '''Sphere''' and number of positions = '''12'''. Click on '''OK'''. You can choose to save or not the current setup.
 
3. For our case, the radius of the sphere must be 32 meters (this value is used for the hemisphere surface computation), so double click on the '''Dimensions''' setting and enter 32. Click on '''OK'''.
 
4. Double click on '''Positions''' from the Setup Browser and take a look at the positions coordinates in order to place your microphones, click on '''OK'''.
 
5. Double click on '''Microphones''' from the Setup browser. Set the Number of microphones to 6. The number of steps is adjusted to 2. Suppose that the measured levels are close to 100dB, so you have to set the range peak closer to this value. Type 100 in each Range peak cell of the inputs (the value is automatically adjusted taking into account the microphone sensitivities).
 
6. Set the positions in the Step 2 column like in the following table and click on '''OK''':
 
{|border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#C0C0C0"|Step 1
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#C0C0C0"|Step 2
 
|-
|align = "center"|Pos1
|align = "center"|Pos7
 
|-
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#FFFFE1"|Pos2
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#FFFFE1"|Pos8
 
|-
|align = "center"|Pos3
|align = "center"|Pos9
 
|-
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#FFFFE1"|Pos4
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#FFFFE1"|Pos10
 
|-
|align = "center"|Pos5
|align = "center"|Pos11
 
|-
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#FFFFE1"|Pos6
|align = "center" bgcolor = "#FFFFE1"|Pos12
 
|}
 
7. In the 1/n Octave module from the Setup Browser, set the Upper central frequency to '''20KHz''' and the Average duration to 15s.
 
8. Knowing that all positions can be measured only in two steps in this particular case and that it is not necessary to measure the background noise for all the positions, we choose to measure it only at the position 1. To achieve that, we do the setup as it is described below.
 
In the Corrections module, set for K1:
 
{|border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" width="86%"
|'''Method:''' Measurement<br>'''Measurement:''' One position for all<br>'''Position:''' Pos1<br>'''Correction mode:''' Average
|
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_57.png|framed|none]]
 
|}
 
9. Taking into account that the measurement is carried out outdoors, we consider that the environmental correction K2 is null.
 
For K2:
 
{|border="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" width="103%"
|'''Method:''' Manual
|
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_58.png|framed|none]]
 
|}
 
Double click on '''K2 values''' and set all the values to 0dB. Click on '''OK'''.
 
10. Taking into account the method accuracy required, no weather correction should be implemented, so the K3 correction factor will not be displayed in the Setup Browser.
 
11. Double click on '''Repeat measurement''' from the Repeatability module, set the value to '''3 times'''.
 
----
 
=====Save a Setup=====
1. From the '''File''' menu, select '''Save Setup as'''.
 
2. Name the Setup Tutorial_setup1 and specify the location: the directory C:\Program Files\OROS\OR38\NVSolutions\SoundPower\Setups is the one installed by default, but you can choose any other location.
 
----
 
===Second lesson===
The aim of the second lesson is to go through a realistic measurement process (load a setup, display traces, measurements and results, generate a report).
 
Switch to the '''Measurement Panel''' tab from the workspace.
 
=====Load a Setup=====
You are going to load the Setup saved in the first lesson.
 
1. From the '''File''' menu, select '''Load Setup'''.
 
2. Select '''Tutorial_setup1''' and click on '''Open'''.
 
=====Measurement process=====
There are several steps during the measurement: the transducer calibration, the background noise measurement and the source noise measurement.
 
1. Start the background noise measurement process by clicking on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_59.png|framed|none]]
button. A dialog is displayed that warns you in case your microphones have not been calibrated today.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_60.png|framed|none]]
 
Click on '''No'''.
 
2. Calibrate your microphones
 
3. When the calibration is OK, click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_61.png|framed|none]]
button in order to initialize the background noise measurement process (the background noise measurement does not start by clicking on this button).
 
4. To start the measurement, click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_62.png|framed|none]]
button from the '''Measurement Panel''' (the status bar indicates "Running..."). The measurement lasts 15 seconds (as defined in the first lesson of the tutorial). When the averaging is finished, wait for the results download (the status bar indicates "Getting results...").
 
5. Click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_63.png|framed|none]]
button in order to initialize the source noise measurement process (the source noise measurement does not start by clicking on this button).
 
6. To start the measurement, click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_64.png|framed|none]]
button from the '''Measurement Panel''' (the status bar indicates "Running...") until the end of the measurement (Run1-Step1, Run2-Step1, Run3-Step1, Run1-Step2, Run2-Step2, Run3-Step2).
 
'''Note:''' As you have selected 2 steps (it means that you have not enough microphones to do the measurement in one step) in the measurement process, you will have to change either the microphone positions or to move the source between the 2 steps.
 
=====Fill out and generate a report=====
Fill out your report before printing in order to find back all the information about the weather conditions, user name and many other features.
 
1. When the measurement is finished, click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_65.png|framed|none]]
button from the '''Measurement Panel''' in order to fill out the report like the following one:
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_66.png|framed|none]]
 
2.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_67.png|framed|none]]
 
<br>
 
----
 
3.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_68.png|framed|none]]
 
4.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_69.png|framed|none]]
 
5.
 
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_70.png|framed|none]]
 
In this case for example, the Background noise test has failed. It means that you may have to go once again through a measurement process until all the tests will be positives.
 
6. Click on '''OK'''.
 
=====Save the measurement=====
The "Save" dialog is displayed, then select '''Yes'''. Name the Setup: Tutorial_measurement1. Specify the location (in order to avoid mixing your measurement results with setup templates, place it in another location than the "Setups" and "Templates" directories). Click on '''OK'''.
 
=====Preview your report=====
Click on the
[[Image:SOUND_POWER_71.png|framed|none]]
button from the '''Measurement Panel''' in order to visualize the report corresponding to the measurement you have made: the last saved measurement file will be proposed by default.

Latest revision as of 10:33, 18 March 2022

Sound Power Software
Acoustics-T-256.png Screenshotsp.png
Developer Oros SA
Type Sound Power,Noise, Octave band analysis, Data Acquisition.
First release 2011
Latest Version V3.20.2 (september 2021)
Download Here
Operating system: Windows 10 (and W7) (see PC requirements)
Language English
Official website SoundPower on OROS.com and here!